To state the obvious—the  most efficient way for entrepreneurs to earn more is to raise their prices. 

The same holds true if you’re an employee. You must negotiate for more, whether taking a new job or requesting a raise.

Yet this comes as a revelation to many, and a source terror to most.  

But think about this. Linda Babcock, in Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and Gender Divide writes, “A woman who routinely negotiates her salary increases will earn over $1 million dollars more by the time she retires than a woman who accepts what she’s offered every time without asking for more.” 

A salary offer is not a foregone conclusion. Ninety percent of Human Resource professionals polled expect salaries to be negotiated.  Here are 12 surefire tips for a successful negotiation.

1.  Research the going rates in your field. Ask the high end of the spectrum. You can always negotiate down, but never up.  

2.   Have points prepared, build a case, around your value and what you bring to the company.

3.  Always start negotiations on a positive note. For example, thank the employer for the opportunity before making a counter offer.

4.  “No” means “not now.” 

5.  Negotiate salary only after a job offer. Don’t be the first to bring it up. As one expert explained, “Make them fall in love with you before talking money.”

6.  Can’t get the amount you want? Negotiate other items: early salary review, profit sharing, educational programs, etc

7.  Act confident (even if you don’t feel it). Communicate with authority. Perceived confidence has a big impact.

8.  Request 24 to 72 hours to think over the offer.

9.  If someone acts put off by a reasonable counter offer, consider it a red flag or negotiating ploy. Perhaps the employer doesn’t value you or wants to intimidate you into agreement.

10.  The best time to negotiate is when you have job offers from another company.

11.  Get the offer in writing.

12,  Above all, focus on relationship building. It’s tougher for someone to say ‘no’ if they like you.

How do you feel about negotiating? Leave a comment below.

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You say you want to make more money, right? But understand this. Nothing will happen until you make a conscious commitment, until financial success becomes a pressing priority.

A commitment is not the same as a goal. A goal denotes the desired destination. A commitment means you’re determined to reach it…no matter what.

Here’s the beauty of a committed decision. You don’t need to have a plan all figured out. All you have to do is decide what you want and do what comes next.

Commitments are like magnets. They attract opportunities.

But be warned: those opportunities always lie just outside your comfort zone. At some point you must decide what you’re really committed to: increasing your income or staying where it’s safe. You can’t have both.

Are you committed to financial success? Yes or no? Leave a comment below and tell me about the next step you’ll need to take.

Get the support you need to create the Wealth you desire in my virtual community of women supporting women, The Wealth Connection. Now only $47/month!  Join the conversation today!

One question I always ask financially successful women: What is your biggest regret?  

Almost everyone has the same response. Not speaking up sooner. As one woman, a 7th grade drop-out,  told me: “You don’t get what you deserve. You get what you demand.”  

But even the most successful found it downright scary to ask for what they wanted, to say no to what they didn’t.  

You know why? Studies prove that assertive, forceful men are given high marks by their bosses.  Assertive, forceful women are labeled a bitch.   

I’m here to tell you—being a bitch is not a bad thing. That’s where our power is.

I’m not talking about the bitchy part. That’s the co-dependent in us who suppresses her true needs and gets very resentful. 

The bitch is the powerful part who refuses to be a doormat, a victim, or tolerate injustices; who has the courage to be who she is and want what she wants. 

 Because you see, a bitch is a Babe In Total Control of Herself. 

What do you do to stand up for what you want? Tell me in the comments below.

Get the support you need to create the Wealth you desire in my virtual community of women supporting women, The Wealth Connection. Now only $47/month!  Join the conversation today!